Estrella-Pantaleon bridge repairs moved to January

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has re-scheduled the repairs for the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, also known as Rockwell Bridge, to January 2019.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had closed the bridge on Sunday, September 23, in preparation for the repairs that will last for a period of 30 months.

However, on Monday, September 24 around 9pm, the DPWH removed the barricade at Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, and allowed motorists to pass through the bridge that connects Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City.

In a letter addressed to MMDA Chairperson Danilo Lim, the DPWH explained that they decided to defer the demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of a new bridge due to public clamor and due to the ‘huge economic loss’ during the Christmas season.

“Due to public clamor and apprehension of the business circle that the timing and closure will cause possible huge economic loss specially this coming holiday season, we are constrained to defer the implementation of the project and decided to proceed by 1st week of January 2019,” the DPWH said in their letter.

“We sincerely apologize for the sudden change in plan in view of the afore-cited reasosn, which we deemed appropriate to avert negative impact to the forthcoming yuletide events,” the agency added.